Overshadowed by the management chaos, Jesper Banks' crew did not get going as well as hoped. On the final day of the eighth pre-regatta for the America's Cup off Trapani (Italy), Team Germany was beaten by the Swedish Victory Challenge.
After a botched start by the Germans, who crossed the start line only twelve seconds after the Swedes, Team Germany was able to push the bow just ahead of the Swedish SWE 63, but the lead and joy lasted only a short time. The black Swedish Yaqcht overtook the white German yacht before the first turning mark. The Victory Challenge was then able to extend its lead to 1.59 minutes by the finish.
The sensation of the day, however, came from the French K-Challenge. Skipper Thierry Pepponnet, sports director Dawn Riley and their crew were the first team to inflict a heavy defeat on the Swiss Cup defenders from Team Alinghi. In extremely light winds of around ten knots, the French yacht was simply faster than the SUI 75. The K-Challenge's coup sparked frenetic cheers among the thousands of spectators on the water. Some French journalists even had tears of joy running down their faces.
